The search for a missing climber has been almost completely called off at Miners Falls in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

“It’s been scaled back. Still looking from the land, but the Coast Guard has called off the water and air based search,” said Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Chief of Interpretation Office Sue Reece. “It’s too dangerous to be out there.”

The rescue attempts came after James Bake, 32, of Gaylord was swept up in two waves while ice climbing at approximately 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7. According to a report from one of Bake’s fellow climbers, he was pushed partially into Lake Superior by an incoming wave. Reece said that while he had partially been able to climb onto a rocky and icy ledge, a second wave swept him in a second time.

Winter rescues along the lakeshore create logistical nightmares for rescue teams, dealing with uneven and unsafe ice formation, slippery conditions on rock faces for climbers and obstructions making it harder for boats to come closer to land, said Reece.

“It’s always difficult for anyone at the base of the water. We just don’t have boats in the water, and ice pieces make it very hard to access anyone along the lakeshore,” she said. “And when you’re typically aren’t wearing life jackets when ice climbing.”

Alger County Dispatch originally took the 9-1-1 call before Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore rescue teams and Rescue 21 joined in the search. The U.S. Coast Guard from Traverse City and Marquette also joined. Search began on Tuesday night and continued on Wednesday.